U.S. patent application number 13/542854 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for connector assembly for connecting building members.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE STEEL NETWORK, INC.. Invention is credited to Edward R. diGirolamo, James E. Herrmann, John C. Herrmann, Michael A. Shultz.
Application Number | 20120266545 13/542854 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47020195 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120266545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
diGirolamo; Edward R. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2012 |
Connector Assembly for Connecting Building Members
Abstract
A building assembly utilized in connecting building members
together while permitting limited relative movement between the
members. The assembly includes a structure such as a track or plate
that includes one or more longitudinal slots. Integrally formed in
the longitudinal slot is a breakaway washer that receives a
fastener that extends into an adjacent structure. When a certain
force is applied to the breakaway washer, the breakaway washer
breaks away from the slot and this permits the slot to move about
the breakaway washer and fastener which results in there being
relative movement between two connected structures.
Inventors: |
diGirolamo; Edward R.;
(Raleigh, NC) ; Herrmann; John C.; (Raleigh,
NC) ; Herrmann; James E.; (Raleigh, NC) ;
Shultz; Michael A.; (Apex, NC) |
Assignee: |
THE STEEL NETWORK, INC.
Durham
NC
|
Family ID: |
47020195 |
Appl. No.: |
13/542854 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12629979 |
Dec 3, 2009 |
8181419 |
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13542854 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/98 ;
52/655.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 7/18 20130101; E04B
1/38 20130101; E04B 2001/2439 20130101; F16B 43/00 20130101; Y10S
248/909 20130101; Y10T 403/11 20150115; E04B 2/768 20130101; E04B
2001/2415 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/98 ;
52/655.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38; E04B 1/19 20060101 E04B001/19 |
Claims
1. A building assembly, comprising: a first building member having
one or more elongated slots with each slot having a length and a
width; a second building member; a connector assembly for
connecting the first and second building members together such that
the building members may move relative to each other while still
being connected; the connector assembly including one or more
breakaway washers with each breakaway washer integrally formed in
one slot of the first building member; each breakaway washer having
a fastener centering opening and one or more tabs projecting into
edges of the slots; a fastener extending through the centering
opening of the breakaway washer and connected to the second
building member so as to connect the first and second building
members; the breakaway washer having a face having a surface area;
the fastener including a flange that faces the face of the
breakaway washer; one or more raised dimples formed on the face of
the breakaway washer and projecting towards the flange of the
fastener for causing the breakaway washer to be fastened to the
second building member when the fastener is tightened; wherein the
flange of the fastener engages the one or more dimples and the one
or more dimples function as an interface between the flange and the
surface area of the face of the breakaway washer and prevents the
fastener flange from engaging the surface area of the breakaway
washer face wherein the dimples further maintain a spacing between
the flange of the fastener and the flange of the first building
member; and wherein the breakaway washer is configured such that
when a certain force is applied to the breakaway washer, the
breakaway washer will break away from the slot and permit the slot
to move relative to the fastener, breakaway washer, and second
building member thereby permitting relative movement between the
first and second building members.
2. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated slot
includes opposed edges and wherein the breakaway washer includes a
main body spaced inwardly from the opposed edges of the slot and a
pair of offset tabs projecting from opposed edges of the main body
to the edges of the slot such that the offset tabs connect the main
body of the breakaway washer to the slot in the first building
member.
3. The building assembly of claim 2 wherein the main body of the
breakaway washer is generally rectangular shaped and wherein the
pair of offset tabs project from opposed and offset corners of the
rectangular shaped breakaway washer.
4. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the breakaway washer is
generally rectangular shaped and includes upper and lower edges
that are substantially straight and two side edges.
5. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the fastener includes a
shaft and there is a direct transition from the shaft to the flange
without an intervening shoulder.
6. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the breakaway washer
includes a main body having four corners and wherein there is
provided at least two tabs projecting from the main body to edges
of the slot and wherein the two tabs are offset and project from
diagonally opposed corners of the main body of the breakaway
washer.
7. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the one or more dimples
are raised approximately 0.005 inches above the face of the
breakaway washer.
8. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the face of the
breakaway washer is flat and wherein the one or more dimples are
elevated relative to the face of the breakaway washer.
9. A building assembly, comprising: a first building member having
one or more elongated slots with each slot having a length and a
width; a second building member; a connector assembly for
connecting the first and second building members together such that
the building members may move relative to each other while still
being connected; the connector assembly including one or more
breakaway washers with each breakaway washer integrally formed in
one slot of the first building member; each breakaway washer having
a fastener centering opening; a fastener extending through the
centering opening of the breakaway washer and connected to the
second building member so as to connect the first and second
building members; the breakaway washer having a face having a
surface area; the fastener including a flange that faces the face
of the breakaway washer; a raised burr formed on the face of the
breakaway washer adjacent the centering opening of the breakaway
washer, the burr projecting outwardly from the face of the
breakaway washer towards the flange of the fastener such that the
burr causes the breakaway washer to be affixed to the second
building member when the fastener is tightened; wherein the flange
of the fastener engages the burr and the burr functions as an
interface between the flange and the face of the breakaway washer
and prevents the flange of the fastener from engaging the face of
the breakaway washer; wherein the burr maintains a spacing between
the flange of the fastener and the first building member; and
wherein the breakaway washer is configured such that when a certain
force is applied to the breakaway washer, the breakaway washer will
break away from the slot and permit the slot to move relative to
the fastener, breakaway washer, and second building member such
that the first and second members can move relative to each
other.
10. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the burr extends
around the centering opening of the breakaway washer.
11. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the face of the
breakaway washer is generally flat and wherein the burr includes a
height of approximately 0.010 inches relative to the face of the
breakaway washer.
12. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the fastener comprises
a shoulderless fastener.
13. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the first member is a
track including a web and a pair of flanges and wherein the one or
more slots include at least two slots formed in the flanges of the
track; and wherein the second member comprises a stud that is
connected to the track via at least two fasteners.
14. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the slot includes two
opposed edges and the breakaway washer comprises a main body and a
pair of tabs, and wherein the tabs project from the main body and
join the edges of the slot.
15. A building structure for connecting to studs and for connecting
to another building member, the building structure comprising: a
track having a web and a pair of flanges and configured to move
both vertically and horizontally while being connected to the studs
and to the other building member; a series of flange slots formed
in each flange with each slot having opposed edges and extending
vertically and generally normal with respect to the web; a
breakaway washer integrally connected in the flange slots formed in
each flange, each breakaway washer including a centering opening
and a main body and one or more tabs projecting from the main body
and joining at least one edge of the flange slot; the breakaway
washers integrally connected in the flange slots configured such
that when a certain force is applied to the breakaway washers, the
breakaway washers will break away from the associated slot and the
slot will move relative to the breakaway washer; one or more
elongated web slots formed in the web with each web slot including
opposed edges and extending parallel relative to the flanges and
generally normal relative to the flange slots; a breakaway washer
integrally connected in each web slot and including a centering
opening, a main body, and one or more tabs projecting from the main
body and joining at least one edge of the web slot; each breakaway
washer integrally connected in a web slot configured such that when
a certain force is applied to the breakaway washer integrally
connected in the web slot, the breakaway washer will break away and
wherein the web slot can move horizontally about the breakaway
washer; wherein when the breakaway washers within the flange slot
break away, the track is moveable vertically; wherein when the
breakaway washer in the web slot breaks away, the track is moveable
horizontally; and wherein when the breakaway washers in the flange
slots and the web slots break away, the track is moveable both
vertically and horizontally.
16. The building structure of claim 15 further including a powder
actuated fastener for extending through the centering opening of
the breakaway washer in the web of the track.
17. The building structure of claim 16 wherein the powder actuated
fastener includes a shoulder and wherein the breakaway washer in
the web slot includes a main body that includes a planar face
configured to engage the shoulder of the powder actuated
fastener.
18. The building structure of claim 15 wherein the breakaway washer
in each flange slot includes a planar face.
19. A connector assembly for connecting to at least one structural
member, comprising: a connecting member; at least one elongated
slot formed in the connecting member, the elongated slot including
opposed edges; a breakaway washer connected to the slot and
including a main body having a fastener center opening and at least
one tab projecting from the main body and connected to one edge of
the slot such that the main body is suspended in the slot by the at
least one tab; the main body of the breakaway washer including a
face; a fastener having a flange and a shaft extending through the
centering opening, the flange of the fastener facing the face of
the breakaway washer; one or more dimples or a burr formed on the
face of the breakaway washer and elevated with respect to the face
of the breakaway washer for engaging the flange of the fastener
such that there exists a space between the flange of the fastener
and the connecting member; and wherein the breakaway washer is
configured such that when a force is applied to the breakaway
washer, the breakaway washer will break away and permit relative
movement between the slot and the combination of the breakaway
washer, fastener, and connecting member.
20. The connector assembly of claim 19 including the burr and
wherein the burr extends around the fastener centering opening and
is at least slightly elevated with respect to the face of the
breakaway washer.
21. The connector assembly of claim 19 wherein there is provided a
series of raised dimples formed on the face of the breakaway washer
and wherein the raised dimples are disposed outwardly of the face
of the breakaway washer.
22. The connector assembly of claim 21 wherein there is a
depression formed underneath each dimple and wherein the depression
causes the material of the breakaway washer to extend outwardly
towards the edges of the slot and effectively limits the
side-to-side movement of the breakaway washer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to lightweight metal building
components and more particularly to connecting assemblies for
connecting metal building components together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Movable or slideable construction member connections can be
utilized in building design to prevent or limit damage due to
varying or dynamic loads. Varying loads can arise from movement of
equipment and personnel in the building as well as from
environmental factors such as high winds and seismic activity.
Flexing of construction members under varying load is expected and
acceptable within code-specified limits. However, such flexing
often means that some connections between members can cause damage
if some relative movement between the connected members is not
allowed. The building industry has recognized this problem.
Movement between connected members has been accommodated by having
sliding connections between the members to permit limited relative
movement between the members while keeping the members otherwise
securely connected together.
[0003] An approach commonly used is that of a slotted connection.
In a typical configuration, a connector in the form of a plate or
bracket is rigidly secured to or part of one of the members and
slideably connected to the other member by means of one or more
slots and fasteners. Typically the plate has slots, and shouldered
or bushed screws, are projected through slots and into the other
member. The screws are tightened to secure the members together but
yet permit the members some range of relative sliding movement. The
head of the fastener is prevented by the shoulder or bushing from
clamping against the connector plate so that the plate can move
along the length of the slot. For a more complete and detailed
description of such connection devices, reference is made to U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,906,080; 6,612,087; 5,467,566; 7,503,150; and,
8,181,419; the disclosures of these patents are expressly included
herein by reference.
[0004] The degree to which such devices function as intended is
dependent upon proper installation. For example, should a
shouldered screw be inserted and tightened off center in the slot,
the shoulder would overlap and clamp the plate to the member. This
clamping would render the connection more or less rigid and not
slideable. Avoiding this kind of improper installation requires
time and installer dexterity to properly align the screw in the
slot.
[0005] A need exists for a connection assembly that will provide
for easy and accurate screw placement to prevent inadvertent
clamping together of the building members being connected and to
thus facilitate slideable connection between the members
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to a metal building component
that includes an elongated slot having a breakaway washer
integrally formed therein. The breakaway washer in one embodiment
includes a series of raised dimples that extend outwardly from the
face of the washer. A fastener having a flange is inserted through
a centering opening in the washer. The fastener extends through the
breakaway washer and connects to another building structure or
component. The raised dimples provide an interface between the
breakaway washer and a flange that forms a part of the fastener.
More particularly, the raised maintain a clearance between the
fastener head and the building component so that slideability may
be achieved.
[0007] In another embodiment, the breakaway washer design is
similar but in this case instead of employing the raised dimples,
the breakaway washer is provided with a raised burr. The raised
burr serves as an interface between the breakaway washer and the
flange of the fastener, maintaining a clearance between the
fastener head and the building component so that slideability may
be achieved.
[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a track that includes one or more breakaway washers in
both the flanges and the web of the track. This enables the track
to move vertically and horizontally once the breakaway washers
break away from the slots.
[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent and obvious from a study of the following
description and the accompanying drawings which are merely
illustrative of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a metal building track
having the breakaway washer incorporated therein.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the face of the breakaway
washer.
[0012] FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken through the line 2A-2A of
FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken through the line 2B-2B of
FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing the backside of the
breakaway washer connected in a slot.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a
building structure showing the use of the breakaway washer to
connect a series of studs to a track.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fastener employed with
the breakaway washer.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the
fastener extending through the breakaway washer.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken through the line 7-7 of
FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view showing an alternate
design for the breakaway washer.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken through the line 9-9 of
FIG. 8.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the fastener extending
through the breakaway washer shown in FIG. 8 and into an engagement
with an adjacent stud.
[0022] FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of the breakaway washer
incorporated into a plate or clip structure.
[0023] FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the plate or clip
structure of FIG. 11 interconnecting a stud with a track.
[0024] FIG. 12 is another alternate embodiment showing a track
having the breakaway washer design of the present invention
incorporated into both the flanges and web of the track.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0025] With further reference to the drawings, a building structure
or connector assembly is shown therein. With reference to FIG. 1
there is shown a metal track indicated generally by the numeral 2.
Metal track 2 includes a pair of flanges 2B and a web 2A. Each
flange includes a series of spaced apart slots 14. As seen in FIG.
1, each slot 14 is elongated and extends generally vertically. As
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the track 2 is
configured to connect to one or more studs via the flanges 2B. In
addition, the web 2A of the track is typically connected to another
building component or structure such as a floor or ceiling
structure.
[0026] Incorporated into the slots 14 of the building member 2 is a
breakaway metal washer 20. The breakaway washer 20 shown in FIGS.
1-3 is designed to break away from its respective slot in response
to a certain force or load being applied to the breakaway washer.
The term "breakaway washer" means a member having a fastener
opening and disposed in an elongated slot and initially fixed
relative to the slot but designed to break away from the slot in
response to a certain force being applied to it and to allow
relative motion between the slot and the breakaway washer after it
has broken away from the slot. The term "breakaway washer" does not
imply a meaning normally associated with a conventional washer.
[0027] Viewing the breakaway washer 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the same
includes a main body. Projecting from the main body is a pair of
offset tabs 20B. As seen in the drawings, the offset tabs 20B join
opposed edges of one slot 14. One advantage of the present design
for the breakaway washer 20 is that the width of the tabs 20B can
be more closely controlled. This provides the ability to adjust the
actual force required to break the washer 20 loose. The main body
of the breakaway washer 20 includes a fastener-centering opening 22
for receiving the shaft of a fastener 16 to be described
subsequently herein. The main body further includes a face 20A. The
face 20A of the main body faces outwardly and the face is generally
flat and includes a surface area.
[0028] Formed in the main body of the breakaway washer 20 is a
series of dimples 20C. The dimples 20C project outwardly from the
face 20A of the breakaway washer 20. More particularly, the series
of dimples 20C project slightly out of the planar face of the main
body of the breakaway washer 20. The height of the dimples can vary
but in one embodiment, the dimple height is approximately 0.005
inches above the planar surface of the face 20A. As will be
discussed later, the purpose of the dimples 20C is to provide
clearance between the screw head and the main body of the flange
2B. In one embodiment, the slot 14 should be able to move relative
to the breakaway washer 20 when the washer actually breaks away. If
the fastener binds the breakaway washer to the flange 2B, then it
is possible that the breakaway washer will not freely move within
the slot 14. Thus the dimples 20C effectively provide clearance
between the face 16C of the fastener 16 and the main body of the
flange 2B, and that makes it more likely that when the breakaway
washer actually breaks away in the slot 14 that the slot can freely
move relative to the breakaway washer.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows the backside of the breakaway washer. Opposite
the dimples 20C is a series of slight depressions 20D. When the
depressions 20D are formed, this tends to disperse metal in the
breakaway washer 20 and causes the formation of the arcuate bulges
20G. See FIGS. 2 and 3. The arcuate bulges 20G occupy space and
tend to partially close the gap between the main body of the washer
20 and the edges of the slot 14. This has the advantage of limiting
the side-to-side movement of the main body once the washer has
broken away from the slot 14. The arcuate bulges 20G are optional.
In other embodiments, there would be no arcuate bulges 20G. Instead
the opposed sides of the breakaway washer 20 would be straight. In
addition the main body includes upper and lower edges 20E and side
edges 20F.
[0030] Forming a part of the connector assembly or the building
assembly of the present invention is a fastener indicated generally
by the numeral 16. Fastener 16 includes an enlarged head or flange
16B. Flange 16B includes a face 16C and the fastener 16 further
includes a shaft 16D. The design of the assembly disclosed herein
is aimed at making the fastener 16 a conventional fastener.
Typically fastener 16 is a so called "modified truss-head" screw
also known as a "lath" screw. See FIG. 5. Note the enlarged flange
16B of the fastener 16. The flange 16B is wider than the width of
the slot 14. In the embodiments illustrated herein, there is no
shoulder provided between the flange 16B and the shaft 16D. Again
the fastener 16 is a conventional fastener. This has the advantage
of making it easier for contractors to obtain rather than having to
order special screws, especially screws having a certain size
shoulder.
[0031] A typical application of the track 2 is shown in FIG. 4.
Here track 2 is connected to a series of studs 3 and to a floor or
ceiling structure 1. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, the connection that exists between the studs 3 and the track 2
enable relative movement between the track and the studs.
[0032] At each connection point between the track 2 and the stud 3,
the fastener 16 projects through the fastener center opening 22 and
the breakaway washer 20 and into the flange 3B of the stud 3. Note
that the dimples 20C face the face 16C of the fastener 16. As the
fastener 16 is screwed into the flange 3B of the stud 3, the face
16C of the fastener will only contact the raised dimples 20C. That
is the dimples 20C serve as a separator between the main body of
the flange 2B and the face 16C of the fastener. In other words, the
dimples 20C tightly clamp the breakaway washer 20 against the
flange 3B of the stud but allow movement of the slot relative to
the breakaway washer. As discussed above, this assures that once
the breakaway washer is broken loose from the slot the slot can
move freely about the washer and enable relative movement between
the track 2 and the studs 3.
[0033] Note FIGS. 2A and 2B which show the dimples 20C raised above
the planar surface of the main body of the breakaway washer 20.
Also in FIGS. 2A and 2B it can be seen that by forming the dimples
20C that the underlying depressions of 20D cause portions of the
metal to bulge out to one side to form the arcuate bulges 20G that
tend to limit the side-to-side movement of the breakaway washer 20
when it breaks loose from the slot 14. Note that FIG. 6 shows the
fastener flange 16B is sufficiently wide that it bridges the slot
14. Note in FIG. 7 where the dimples 20C are only slightly elevated
over the face 20A of the breakaway washer 20 but that the dimples
prevent the flange 16B from directly engaging the track flange 2B.
More particularly, the washer 20 is only engaged to the stud flange
3B by the flange 16B via the dimples 20C.
[0034] Turning to FIGS. 8-10, another embodiment for the breakaway
washer 20 is shown. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1-7. The main distinction is that the dimples 20C
have been replaced with a burr 40. Note in FIG. 8 where the burr 40
is formed around the fastener centering opening 22 adjacent the
face 20A of the breakaway washer 20. This is particularly shown in
FIG. 9. Note that in this example that the burr 40 extends
approximately 0.010 inches above the face 20A of the breakaway
washer 20. Thus when the fastener 16 is extended through the
centering opening 22 the flange 16B will engage the burr 40 and not
the face 20A of the breakaway washer 20. Thus the burr 40 serves
the same function as the raised dimples 20C discussed above. Note
in FIG. 10 where the slightly upwardly extending burr 40 engages
the face 16C of the flange 16B and basically causes the flange 16B
to be spaced from both the face 20A of the washer 20 and the flange
2B of the track 2. Again the fastener 16 clamps the washer 20
tightly against the flange 3B of the stud 3 but allows movement of
the slot relative to the breakaway washer.
[0035] The breakaway washer 20 can be employed in various building
components such as components that interconnect building members.
For example, the breakaway washer 20 can be employed in a
connecting plate or bracket such as that shown in FIG. 11 and
indicated generally by the numeral 12. That is, the breakaway
washer 20 having the raised dimples 20C or the burr 40 can be
incorporated into the slots 14 of the plate 12. Plate 12 is bent in
the form of a clip having a clip web 12A and a clip flange 12B
disposed at approximately a right angle to the clip web. A bend in
12C is formed between the flange 12B and web 12A. The breakaway
washer 20 having the raised dimples 20C is disposed within each
slot 14 and the tabs thereof, tabs 20B, are connected to the edges
of the slot. As noted above, the plate 12 can be utilized as part
of a connecting assembly for connecting two building members
together. For example the plate can be utilized to connect a stud
to a track structure. In such an example, the web 12A is placed
against the web 3A of the stud and fastener 16 is inserted through
the breakaway washers 20 into the web of the stud. The flange 12B
is in turn secured to the web of the track 2. Thus when the washers
20 break away from the slots 14 it follows that there can be
relative movement between the studs 3 and the track 2. This example
is illustrated in FIG. 11A.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 12, an alternative design for the track 2 is
shown. In this case, there is provided breakaway washers 20 in the
web 2A. Further there is provided a series of slots 14 in the web
2A. These slots 14 are longitudinally aligned with the web 2A. That
is, the slots 14 in the web 2A extend generally normal with respect
to the slots 14 in the flanges 2B. The breakaway washers 20 formed
in the slots 14 in the web 2A are generally planar and do not
include the raised dimples 20C or the burr 40 in this particular
embodiment. It is appreciated that the breakaway washer 20 provided
in the web 2A could include a design utilizing the raised dimples
20C or the burr 40. It is conversely appreciated that the design
using the planar breakaway washers in the web 2A could be
substituted for the dimpled or burred breakaway washer design in
the flange 2B, where a shouldered screw would be used instead of a
shouldered, powder actuated fastener.
[0037] To attach the track 2 to an adjacent structure, the fastener
provided is what is commonly referred to as a powder actuated
fastener. In the FIG. 12 embodiment the powder actuated fastener is
indicated generally by the numeral 50. It includes a head 50A, a
shoulder 50B and a shaft 50C. The shoulder 50B is designed to
engage the breakaway washer 20. This is to prevent the fastener
head 50A from directly engaging the web 2A and clamping it tightly
against the adjacent building structure. The diameter of the
shoulder 50B is smaller than the width of the slot 14.
[0038] In the case of the FIG. 12 embodiment, the breakaway washers
20 incorporated into the side flanges 2B are similar to those shown
in FIGS. 1-3 with the raised dimples 20C. The advantage of the
track 2 shown in FIG. 12 is that because of the breakaway washers
20 exist in both the flanges 2B and the web 2A, the track can move
both horizontally and vertically. The breakaway washers 20 provided
in the web 2A enable horizontal movement or drift while the
breakaway washers 20 provided in the flanges 2B enable the track 2
to move vertically.
[0039] The terms "underside", "downward", "upward", "top",
"bottom", "upper side", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical" and
similar terms or variation of the terms may be used throughout this
disclosure. The terms are used merely to illustrate various
embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention in any way.
[0040] The present invention may, of course, be carried out in
other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing
from the scope and the essential characteristics of the invention.
The present embodiments are therefore to be construed in all
aspects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming
within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are
intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *